In North Carolina's picturesque heartland, Greensboro was first settled in the 1740s and named in 1808. Now, the town's signature Southern hospitality welcomes all comers who want to taste its food and fun when the meeting is done. For details, head to visitgreensboronc.com.
Day 1: A Classic Introduction
11:00 A.M.
Revolutionary War Major General Nathanael Greene, source of the city's name, led the Battle of the Guilford Courthouse in 1781, which changed the tide of the Southern Campaign. Today, the battleground is found at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Enjoy the morning biking the foliage- and monument-lined paths.
2:00 P.M.
Across the park from the battlefield, the Greensboro Science Center beckons with a 12-acre zoo, an aquarium, a tree-top ropes course (above) and more. "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure" plays daily in the amphitheater.
Day 2: Art and Hors d'oeuvres
11:00 A.M.
Since opening in 1982, Ambleside Gallery has exhibited high-quality works in a variety of media, such as oils, watercolors, pastels, lithography, woodcuts and photography by more than 30 artists from across the globe. Be sure to take in the creations (right) by renowned Chinese watercolorist Guan Weixing, exclusively represented in the U.S. at this gallery.
2:00 P.M.
Eat your way through the city on Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours' 3.5-hour culinary voyage across Greensboro's downtown that runs every Saturday at 2 p.m. Be sure to come hungry, as the route includes stops at 13 eateries, from upscale restaurants such as Liberty Oak and artisanal food shops like the French-inspired Chez Genese, to hole-in-the-wall favorite Dame's Chicken and Waffles. The afternoon finishes up with decadent dessert depots like Cheesecake by Alex. Private and custom tours can be arranged for groups.
Day 3: Sports, games and guitars
10:00 A.M.
Sports fans will hoot and holler for their home teams while wandering through the ACC Hall of Champions, an interactive museum showcasing the past, present and future of the Atlantic Coast Conference's member colleges. Marvel in all the athletic and academic glory of schools like Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame and Duke.
2:00 P.M.
Amble the lively Brice Street Area, just west of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and be sure to stop in Lost Ark Video Games, the largest Japanese-style arcade and gaming store on the East Coast. Then grab a late lunch at 913 Whiskey Bar & Southern Kitchen, serving Southern fare, creative cocktails and more than 100 whiskeys.
7:00 P.M
Just down the road, dance the night away at the Blind Tiger, dubbed one of the best live-music venues in the state. Local and national acts take the stage at this long-standing concert space and watering hole.